Chris Valaika, Former UCSB Star, Returns to Majors

Chris Valaika, a standout of UC Santa Barbara's baseball program from 2004-06, has returned to the Majors for the second time this season as rosters expanded on Sept. 1.

Valaika is expected to get some playing time this month for the Cincinnati Reds, who sit 13.5 games behind Milwaukee as of Thursday.

Valaika is in his third stint with the Reds after playing in 19 games in 2010, he made eight appearances earlier this season before returning to Class AAA. In those eight games, in late April and early May, he batted .313 with a .353 on-base percentage.